Varnish for floorboards, Which is best?

Lady_K

I've taken up a carpet ready to have another one fitted but the floorboards are in very good condition so I've decided to varnish them.

Which is the best most durable varnish to use?

My daughter got a floor varnish one for her floor and its been terrible it's all peeled even though it was a brand new floor and she prepared it first so I thought it may be better to ask on here if anyone has any suggestions

rockie4

I did our staircase with exterior varnish - I think it was Ronseal.
I used the mahogany, satin finish and it's lasted really well, I did them about 5 years ago and they're still fine.

djohn2002uk

Ronseal do make good varnishes but I would advise you to buy a polyurethane one which is extremely hard wearing.
But don't forget, preparation is everything. If your daughters is peeling then the preparation may not have been correct. Seek some advice on the preparation perhaps from the manufacturers website, which is often a good place to look.

djohn2002uk

Just as I thought, there's a good page here http://www.ronseal.co.uk/howto/perfect_finish_floor.jsp

Magenta_Wolves

I used Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish on my wooden floor about 5 years ago and it still looks good. Would definately spend more money and go for that one rather than a cheaper alternative.

Poppy9

I used a wax oil for my dining room floor. The advantage over varnish is that you never need to strip it back again you just add more wax where furniture has dragged along it. I did it a few years ago and it still looks fab.

OSMO Satin Polyx Oil

Canucklehead

Poppy9 wrote: »

I used a wax oil for my dining room floor. The advantage over varnish is that you never need to strip it back again you just add more wax where furniture has dragged along it. I did it a few years ago and it still looks fab.

OSMO Satin Polyx Oil

Good afternoon: Another vote for Osmo..excellent product which we have used on several projects.

HTH

Canucklehead

Alfrescodave

My vote is for Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish. I did my living room parquet flooring with it today and it looks fabulous - very easy to apply and dries extremely quickly.
I can't speak for its durability though, ask me again, hopefully in 5 years time

Lady_K

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon: Another vote for Osmo..excellent product which we have used on several projects.

HTH

Canucklehead

How do you apply this satin polyx wax oil and is it sticky or tacky once its down like some wood waxes? I like the idea of not having to strip it back in time and just adding where marks may occur. Is there any drying time too as it doesnt say anything about application on there. How do you clean it too could I do it with stardrops or does it have to be polish as I don't want it to be slippy at all? I'm guessing thatr this product wouldnt really require as much sanding preparation compared to ordinary varnishes?

Canucklehead

Lady_K wrote: »

How do you apply this satin polyx wax oil and is it sticky or tacky once its down like some wood waxes? I like the idea of not having to strip it back in time and just adding where marks may occur. Is there any drying time too as it doesnt say anything about application on there. How do you clean it too could I do it with stardrops or does it have to be polish as I don't want it to be slippy at all? I'm guessing thatr this product wouldnt really require as much sanding preparation compared to ordinary varnishes?

Good morning: See the product detail pdfs for answers to your questions... http://www.vanillawoodfloors.co.uk/index.php?cPath=24_79_82

HTH
Canucklehead

Poppy9

Lady_K wrote: »

How do you apply this satin polyx wax oil and is it sticky or tacky once its down like some wood waxes? I like the idea of not having to strip it back in time and just adding where marks may occur. Is there any drying time too as it doesnt say anything about application on there. How do you clean it too could I do it with stardrops or does it have to be polish as I don't want it to be slippy at all? I'm guessing thatr this product wouldnt really require as much sanding preparation compared to ordinary varnishes?

It goes on quickly and easily. I just used a paint brush and did the whole room (about 30ft long by 15ft wide) in about 1 hour. I repeated the next day. It wasn't tacky or slippery. I didn't polish the floor because it didn't need it. To keep it clean I sweep it or hoover it and I use a wooden floor mop from Wilkinsons. Any spills I just wipe up with a damp cloth.